Crystal River current., 1887-03-19

him. Rising at daybreak new and
strange badges are worn by the troops
now passing. From all sides the
'stragglers" appear. At last upon
some comrade straggler, like himself,
the old badge of the 9th corps, the
cannon and anchor, is seen. It is q
welcome sight. These two men, being
bent upon one and the same object,
the finding of their regiments, form a
partnership. Others wearing the same
badge JOIN them until nearly brigade
is formed. The search is continued
through the day. Toward night the
headquarters OF the corps are discov-
cred. But the corps extends for three
miles along the road. One hour more
and the division is found. Short work
after this to find the brigade, regiment
and company.
On that first day att a. m. our reg
iment numbered 800. At 9p. m. only
600 responded to"roll-call." OF the
200 who have fallen out SO fail to
overtake their commands and in a few
days are reported sick in hospitals.
But the 600, what is their condition
after the first days campaign? Our
good general, in addition to 1nstruc-
tions on falling out, had also mention
ed the necessity of washing the feet
at night, soaping the stockings and
greasing the shoes" But suggestions,
Instructions, and even orders are of
little avail with menso utterly pros
trated by the days march. Expert
ence here, as elsewhere, must mainly
be relied upon to correct the habits.
The feet are sore, the shoes are taken
off to relieve pain, but ais a rule the
stockings, although saturated with
blood, are not soaped nor the shoes
creased at the end OF the first day.
The Veterans are the exception. They
seek brooks and streams in which they
first night without tents. Stretched
upon the ground for miles, the army
OF the Potomac rests.
1t requires more than q blast from
the bugle to rouse the soldier the next
morning. The company officers must
awaken each man. Removing his
blankets he attempts to stand. After
several futile efforts, he finally sue
ceeds in taking few steps without
shoes. Gathering wood, the soldiers
in groups OF six or eight light fire to
boil the coffee, which with pork and
hardtack, makes their breakfast.
Hardly is the breakfast eaten when
the order comes, "Fall in" Totter-
ing and limping the men obey, the
acute sensation OF pain gradually di-
minishing under the exertions OF the
march. So heavy is the load and so
tedious is the march that many a SOL
dier prefers to meet the enemy-any
thing but this terrible fatigue!
On the 5th the 9th corps reaches
the Rapidan by forced march. The
sharp rattle OF musketry is heard.
The 2nd, 5th, and 9Th corps have had
hard fighting all day. Ambulances,
stretchers almost block the way.
Wounded and bleeding men are car
ried to the rear. Having crossed the
Rapidan we are in the Wilderness.
wounded men are heard.
Early the next morning our lines are
formed and we are advanced toward
the enemy. AS we near the foe there
come from the officers these words SO
well understood just before battle,
words given in low half whispered
and yet firm tone: Forward" d"-"for-
ward"-"stead-y' y''-tguider right" On
and on we advance, with difficulty
keeping in line owing to the under
brush. A fierce battle is already rag
ing on both sides. As yet we have
received no fire from the enemy. We
are near his entertainments. Sudden
ly the order comes, "Charge." A dead
ly fire is hurled in our very faces.
Our lines become irregular. We re-
turn the fire, probably with little ef-
feet, our antagonist being protected
by his Notifications. The storm of
lead continues as we attempt to re-
form our lines and again charge. By
this time our troops are strangely
mingled.
Now comes lull, men begin to look
about them. In the excitement of the
charge officers urged on any men whom
they could. All bear the stamp OF
brave men, but many are strangers.
Only few of those who started at
the first order are here now. Some,
more daring than others, scaled the
works of the enemy and are now prison
the confusion fought nobly elsewhere,
cretion the better part of valor."
But where is the regiment? The old
flag is the regiment, no matter how
few are with it. Out OF such charge
and in so much confusion so Omen may
be found with the colors Immediately
after. Eagerly the absent ones search
for sight OF the flag, which all are
bound to recognize as home.
All day long the tide of battle ebbs
and flows, now on the right, now on
left, now at the center, and again at
all points, fierce and sharp. Attacks
and repulses, victories and defeats fol-
low each other in rapid succession.
On the march to the Rapidan soldiers
longed to meet the enemy. They have
met and fought him and lost more
than 10000 in killed and wounded
1000 prisoners, besides many from
sickness and other causes.
Again we are moving toward Spott-
sylvania. On our way we halt upon
historic ground, being upon battle
field where one year before Is, 900
Ilni0n Inen fell Il is sChancallorsuilla